Do you know the story behind Santiago Ways?
Surely not, but I would tell you that it is a history of passion for the Camino de Santiago.
It was in the year 2016 when the father of our founder, Joseba Menoyo, was trying to organize his trip on the Camino de Santiago.
Joseba realized how complicated it was for his father to organize the route, because he wanted to stay in quality accommodation and needed to transport his suitcase between stages.
In addition, he was also afraid to do so without assistance, in case he might need help at some point.
After observing this situation, Joseba Menoyo decided to help him organize his trip on the Camino de Santiago.
His father was delighted with the experience, organized by his son and encouraged him to professionalize the service.
If you are interested in pilgrimage and are fascinated with the experience, sign up to do the Camino de Santiago from Sarria with us. Tell us details about the trip you want to make and we’ll arrange it for you. It’s going to be incredible!
The drawback was that, at that time, Joseba Menoyo, worked in a position of high responsibility in one of the most important technological consultancy firms in the world.
However, as Joseba Menoyo has always been passionate about the Camino de Santiago, he decided that it was worthwhile to create a specialized travel agency for the Camino de Santiago.
2016
Santiago Ways is registered, specializing as a Camino de Santiago travel agency.
The first version of the web is launched and the focus is placed on customer satisfaction.
Santiago Ways website in 2016.
Initially, Santiago Ways specializes in the organization of the following Caminos de Santiago:
Success does not take long to arrive and in the first 6 months, more than 500 pilgrims decide to contract the services of Santiago Ways to organize some of the routes of the Camino de Santiago.
Joseba Menoyo makes the decision to professionalize Santiago Ways even more and decides to give up his work as a manager in the important technological consultancy to devote 100% to Santiago Ways.
2017
In 2017 the team was joined by the first expert travel agents in the Camino de Santiago.
In addition, a new Web version is launched, 100% adapted to mobile phones and with much-improved user experience.
The English version of Santiago Ways is also launched.
Success is complete and, in 2017, more than 3,000 pilgrims place their trust in Santiago Ways, especially to organize their journey on the Camino in the section of Sarria to Santiago.
On the other hand, hundreds of reviews endorse Santiago Ways with an excellent rating on TripAdvisor, Google Reviews and Facebook.
We also go for the first time to specialized tourism fairs in relation to the Camino de Santiago, like FairWay, and the II Forum of the Camino de Santiago, in Santiago de Compostela.
In addition, we launch our first official video of the Camino de Santiago.
2018
Santiago Ways continues to grow and the German version is released.
In addition, it breaks a record, with more than 6,000 pilgrims putting their trust in Santiago Ways, mainly from the following countries:
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Ireland
- Canada
- Australia
- Germany
- Mexico
- Colombia
- Argentina
Santiago Ways becomes a world reference in trips to the Camino de Santiago and appears in the main media as a result of its success.
The most popular caminos among our customers in 2018
We also took advantage of the Lebaniego year to launch the Camino Lebaniego.
The team continues to grow, always putting the focus on being passionate about the Camino de Santiago.
We went for the first time to FITUR, international tourism Fair in Madrid, with a great success that allowed us to close a number of very relevant collaboration agreements.
We get the best ratings possible on TripAdvisor, Google Reviews and Facebook.
We launch new Caminos de Santiago
In addition, with the focus on offering the best possible service to our customers, we started working on Saturdays and Sundays as well.
In addition, we appeared in the mainstream Spanish media:
- El Mundo (printed version)
- El País (printed version)
- Expansión
We have managed to become the number one agency for organized trips on the Camino de Santiago.
2019
Thanks to our German website and counting on excellent travel agents who have a native German level, we have increased by 500% the number of German pilgrims who trust in Santiago Ways.
Attending FITUR, in Madrid
In January we participated again in FITUR, in Madrid, where we had the opportunity to meet many new suppliers on all the routes of the Camino de Santiago, and generate collaborative relationships with them to continue offering the best services to our pilgrims.
Also, this year there have been many other milestones in Santiago Ways that we would love to share with you:
The launch of the Via Francígena
In order to expand our pilgrimage routes, we have decided to offer our clients the possibility to travel with Santiago Ways on the Vía Francigena, from Acquapendente to Rome.
Discover with us the Via Francigena and dare to travel the last 140 km, the necessary requirement to obtain your “Testimonium” of pilgrimage, the equivalent of the “Compostela” on the Camino de Santiago.
Excelence Certificate from TripAdvisor
Santiago Ways has been awarded by TripAdvisor with the 2019 Certificate of Excellence thanks to the positive reviews received on the world’s largest travel website.
Only a small percentage of companies get this award! Every year TripAdvisor grants the Certificate of Excellence to those who provide excellent service to consumers and continually achieve positive traveller ratings.
Thank you, pilgrim, for giving us the opportunity to turn your Camino de Santiago into a unique and unparalleled experience.
Corporate video in Spanish and English
In order to invite all our pilgrims to continue to trust in Santiago Ways, we have created two videos, one in Spanish and the other, in English, especially for you: by pilgrims, for pilgrims.
In it, they express their feelings during each day on the Camino, while they tell us about their experience enjoying Galician gastronomy and the services of Santiago Ways: private accommodation, luggage transfer, personalized service, among many many others.
What are you waiting for us to help you organize your trip to the Camino de Santiago?
So enjoyed reading your story. My wife and I and eight other pilgrims are looking forward to our first experience with Santiago Ways on the Portuguese Camino, Baiona to Santiago, May 20-28. And Vanessa has been excellent to work with in planning our journey!